Register as a Donor
Elvia Valdez- PR Coordinator
We've all heard the phrase T.G. I.F. for "Thank Goodness It's Friday." Well for our young friend Tyler D. Nelson, Friday could not have come any quicker. That's because on Friday, May, 20, 2011, his dream of becoming a "pilot for a day" came true. Not bad for a birthday gift, his birthday was Thursday, May 19.
Yes. Pilot for a day. Tyler D. Nelson 17-years-old , is waiting for a double lung and liver. He was invited to Million Air Airport by American Jet International, near Hobby Airport to learn about what awaits him when he becomes a pilot.
Tyler dreams of becoming a pilot. I would say when he grows up, but Tyler is in so many ways already very grown up. He is well versed on so many real world topics, perhaps because of his illness and or his own experiences. He is very well mannered, making it a point to end each conversation with a "Yes Ma'am "Thank You" and or "No Sir." I sometimes jokingly tell him that when he officially "grows up" and post transplant I think he should teach etiquette to children within our community and beyond.
The true testament to this young man's courage and strength lies in his faith first and then his loving and supportive family. Faith is the foundation of this family and there is no doubt that his mother is his biggest fan!
The cool and amazing thing about this experience was that Tyler was treated like the V.I.P. - very important person that he truly is. To say that American Jet International went above and beyond would be an understatement.
In today's time and economy it's so refreshing and uplifting that there are still businesses in this country who are operating on compassion as a bottom line, not money.
Tyler was given a tour of several private jets at the Million Air Airport and given the opportunity to co-pilot a mustang jet, alongside Capt. Erik Vela to Galveston Island. On board Capt. Tyler Nelson's first flight, were his mother, Cynthia Nevels, Janice Whaley, Managing Director of Clinical Operations, LifeGift, a photojournalist from Houston's Fox affiliate, KRIV-26, and myself.
I think Tyler's mom, Cynthia summed up the experience best when she said it was "surreal." As I was on-board I kept thinking to myself how humbling life is and how incredibly blessed I felt to be experiencing a front row seat to seeing Tyler's dream come true. The look on his face as he was upfront as co-pilot in the cockpit was priceless!
Janice Whaley was the instrumental force behind arranging this opportunity. Even she was blown away with American Jet International's willingness to grant this opportunity to Tyler. Also a special thanks to my new friend, Sandy Nelson, Chief Brand and Business Development Officer for Million Air c/o American Jet International, for rolling out the red carpet for Tyler. In her previous life she was a professional within the organ procurement arena and knows that life is truly a beautiful gift. She was so gracious!
Something that is even more unique and special about this entire experience is that American Jet is the air carrier for LifeGift's organ procurement team. That means that their team, is responsible for flying our clinical team all over the country to procure lifesaving organs for transplant.
They understand how important our lifesaving mission is and are definitely on this journey with us.
After Capt. Nelson safely landed us back to Million Air Airport, he first approached his mother and gave her a hug and thanked his passengers for flying "Tyler Airlines."
Before Tyler's day experience was coming to an end he was given a fighter jet jumpsuit from a pilot, his own brochure from American Jet International that listed him as an official Million Air Pilot and treated to a good old American Burger. That sounds like a good way to end a hard day’s work, the only way Texans know how to do it!
This emotionally overwhelming experience assured me that there are still so many generous people in the world.
P.S. Thanks so much Capt. Nelson for the safe trip to Galveston Island!
Monday, May 23, 2011
